First-Person Writer: a writing-prompt computer game · 11:29pm Dec 13th, 2014
So, I've raved here before about writing prompts and how awesome they are. All the Mortal Remains, which looks like it's going to be my most popular story since The Wind Thief, was based on a prompt for The Writeoff Association, a monthly contest that challenges authors with a particular prompt.
So yeah, prompts are awesome. But do you know how they could be better? That's right -- make a video game out of them.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Elegy for a Dead World, by Dejobaan Games, which was released on Steam this weekend:
Elegy is a game only in the loosest sense -- I'd rather call it an interactive writing prompt. It's the perfect game for my laptop, now that I've packed up my PS3 and computer for the long haul to Japan. I spent about 40 minutes earlier, and came up with this short story.
Nickel-Iron-Cobalt
Let it never be said we live in a time of unimaginative games.
Whoa. I may need to get this game.
I saw it and asked myself the question "Why would I do this when I can find prompts elsewhere and write something for free?"
I'm sad I didn't come up with this idea myself, though; it is a brilliant idea for a cheap indie game.
I saw this on Steam a few days ago and thought about getting it. I won't read your story yet, since I'd rather not be influenced by it, and see what I come up with on my own. Please keep it up here, though.
BTW, I finished Stephen King's On Writing a couple of weeks ago, and it's one of the few very engaging non-fiction books I've read in quite a while, with his background story interspersed with excellent advice. Thanks for the heads-up to your fans on that.
Well, checked out the trailer for this and was hooked. On steam now grabbing it. Sounds like a perfect game for me.
Oooh. Looks brilliant.
Oh, cool. I hadn't heard of this, but it looks interesting. I'll have to add it to my wishlist.
Also, Japan? Neat! If you're talking about packing up your computer, it sounds like a move, and not just a visit. Will you be near Tokyo, by any chance?
2652097
I will be in Tokyo, as it happens! Yokota AB.
This story reminds me of Risk of Rain in all the best ways. The isolation, the alien environment. The only thing it's missing is everything trying to kill you.
Great, another game I have to play.
Nor, as you've just proven, of unimaginative writers. Nice!
Well, that's on the wishlist.
inb4 all the clop stories.
But for real, this looks really, really cool.
Huh. So did you write this story based on the illustrations the game showed you? Is that how it works?
A most interesting tale you have woven. Eerie and open. Beautiful and desolate. I've never backpacked alone through the deserts of the Great Basin (or backpacked alone for that matter, and I've barely seen any edges of the aforementioned deserts firsthand), but this story reminds me of the experience nonetheless.
This looks fascinating. I'll have to check it out.
I don't know about the game, but that was some great writing you did there.
The links are broken. :(